My big idea: Need office space in China? No problem!

DAVID Fearon (30) moved to Shanghai two years ago to help his family's business, household name Tipperary Crystal, expand in Asia - but finding a place to work proved difficult. His brand new service Access Asia provides easily rented office space with no hidden costs for those coming to China to start or expand businesses.

DAVID Fearon (30) moved to Shanghai two years ago to help his family's business, household name Tipperary Crystal, expand in Asia - but finding a place to work proved difficult. His brand new service Access Asia provides easily rented office space with no hidden costs for those coming to China to start or expand businesses.

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My big idea: Need office space in China? No problem!

Independent.ie

DAVID Fearon (30) moved to Shanghai two years ago to help his family's business, household name Tipperary Crystal, expand in Asia - but finding a place to work proved difficult. His brand new service Access Asia provides easily rented office space with no hidden costs for those coming to China to start or expand businesses.

"I really struggled to find office space and business services like printing and conferencing facilities while working in China; the big chains carry lots of hidden costs and many of my friends working here do so from home as they feel they have no other option. I came up with the idea for an alternative last Christmas and launched a few weeks ago.

"Access Asia is a fully functional serviced office just off Yongkang Road, a very westernised street in the centre of Shanghai. We offer a more personable touch with services like business registration assistance, corporate rates in hotels across Shanghai and airport collection. Office space can be leased for an hour or a year - we cater for individuals coming to Shanghai for one day and also supply long -term contracts for companies who needs to set up in Shanghai and register under our office.

"Clients already secured come from China, the US, India and the UK.

"I have aggressive expansion plans, I want to open three offices in Shanghai within 18 months. Any expansion after that will take place in other parts of China. To enable this I am establishing relationships with all of the various chambers of commerce, which are a good source of business.

"Closer to home, last month we spoke with Minister John Perry regarding our plans and received an official letter back from President Enda Kenny backing the new venture.

"The biggest challenge has been dealing with leasing agents and landlords; culturally that side of things is very different here and they are really not on your side. I was misled by leasing agents and that really delayed our progress."